Whisperwood (Free Man's Land)

[LithiumSedai 5750]

King Corwin of Sutica leads the Black Band of Alstreim and the Cerulean Watch at the Battle of the Whispering Woods, 1778

((Swiss Charge at Marignano, Albert Robida))

 

[!] A published poem from one Calliope Renata is delivered to the Royal Salvian Academy of Saint Ottomar via the Salvian Fleet, and to the domains of various Electors of the Waldenic Diet.

 

 

Whisperwood (Free Man’s Land)

 

From rain-soaked trenches you emerge once more

Your redcoats stained with mud and tailed helms caved;

A battered band of wretched men betrayed

To waste their lives in fruitless, unjust war.

Swords held low, you advance to cannons' roar;

Around you lay your fallen who had braved

With life and limb the gainless breach he bade:

His Grace, the Emperor of wigged decor.

 

And soon you shamble, bloodied, past the trees

Whose ancient branches whisper with disdain:

"May grievous, everlasting curse then seize

The oathbreakers who sought usurpers' reign.

Orenian slaves! Flee, chased by death's cold breeze,

For Sutica shall free man's land remain!"

 

 

 

[Axelu 4333]

Maude Fredericka, a cousin of the Auxilliary Calliope, read the poem with a latent sense of nostalgia. Although time, war, and allegiances had once wrought them apart, the Countess of Mardon admired her kinswoman's talent- her patriotic and zealous fervor, and her consistent dedication to her homeland. They were values she, too, shared.